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© Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
© Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
rounding territory but a special Army Corps , made up of about fifteen soldiers , remained in the service of the Sovereign as his ’ bodyguard ‘. The ‘ Staffieri ’ anticipated a future key role a few years before the birth of the Principality in 1612 when Lord Honoré II was appointed as the Prince of Monaco , converting the original citadel into a Palace . In 1643 , after the end of the Spanish rule , five hundred French soldiers were engaged to defend the Monegasque Rock by the will of King Louis XIII . These special armed troops , named Prince ’ s Guard or ‘ Carabini ’, remained in office for more than 150 years consolidating their role as the personal security force in charge of the Prince , the Palace and the Principality .
THE CORPS OF CARABINIERS — HERE TO STAY
Formally annexed to France under the name of Fort-Hercule as the result of the French Revolution , Monaco regained its independence under the regency of the Grimaldis in 1814 . Prince Honoré V reshaped the local army by creating the Canotiers de la Garde de Son Altesse Sérénissime ( His Serene Highness ’ Guard of Rowers ) focused on their Naval role in the Menton district .
© Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
Since the 8th December 1817 , police services had been granted under the jurisdiction of the Corps des Carabiniers . Everything evolves from that date ! Soon after the Carabiniers became the only Princely force in operation .
THE CARABINIERS ’ EVOLUTION
Under the reign of Florestan I ( 1841 – 1856 ), the territory between Menton and Roquebrune became independent pushing Monaco to reorganize its economy . Not by chance , the foundation of the Casino ,
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